4 Answers
4

I don't see problem on private beta more than later. We could discuss if these questions should be on-topic or not but I can't see difference if they are posted this week or next week. Bad questions are another beast. If these questions are bad, close them, but can't see the point of close now and reopen or repost at next Wednesday.

Anyway if just great questions could be posted now, probably half of already posted should be deleted.

If users agree with you, go and close/delete my question, actually I can do it. I'm not defending it specifically. I want the best for the site even when I disagree.

I agree with @bigown and will add that, for me, part of participating in this private beta is to learn how the private beta's work. I am also not defending my question except to say I really do want an answer from experts and if experts answer that question it may be something that offers info to other experts (and atracts them to the site). I consider my self a programming expert and info like "what blogs are respected among other programmers" is interesting to me so I'd think it would be for DBA's as well.

So if there is a reason that some questions are OK for public beta but not for private then explain how we tell and I'll comply.

It has long been established that no question is too entry-level nor too basic. Everyone is welcome. But, in these earliest days, we are DESIGNING a site for experts. To attract experts, you need a site where people are asking very interesting and challenging questions, not the basic questions found on every other Q&A site. Remember, the pro sites WILL attract the enthusiasts, but not the other way around!

The earliest questions on a site will set the tone and topic of the site for a long time.

When experts come to this site, they'll say "Wow! This is the site for me" … or they wont.

I just dropped by to see how this new site was doing (note: I am not a DBA but I play one when I visit here). As I write this, the front page (the "billboard" for this site) includes two book recommendation threads, a listing of bloggers and podcasts, a "how did you become a DBA" poll, and a few entry-level questions.

Don't get me wrong; These questions will be asked eventually. It's inevitable. But the earliest, private beta is much more about driving the design of the site then getting these questions out there so early in its lifecycle.

That's where all the angst is coming from; Users who care very much about getting this site off to a really strong start. I think they are kindly asking that you focus on keeping the content particularly strong, especially so early in the beta.